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"Some of them were in rough condition when we first got them," Wendy Welch, communications director for the Humane Society of Huron Valley, said Thursday. "All of them are eating, so that's a positive sign."

The Humane Society has received numerous requests to adopt the puppies, which are described as a pit bull terrier mix. However, Welch said they will not be ready for adoption for another month or so.

Julie Newman was jogging on Northville Road in Hines Park about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday when she heard "little yelps" and noticed movement inside a cardboard box.

She found 19 abandoned puppies climbing over each other and trying to escape a urine-soaked box. Newman, who has two rescue dogs of her own, called her sister and they took the puppies to the Humane Society.

“I’m just heartbroken,” she said in a statement released through HSHV. "I just don't understand how anyone could do this."

Neither do HSHV officials. And they are seeking the public's help to learn where the puppies came from and who might have dumped them in the park.

The puppies, found near Wilcox Lake, are believed to be 4 weeks old and from multiple litters. Nine are males and 10 are females.

The puppies have received medical treatment at HSHV. Some of them were suffering from dehydration.

"It’s hard to say why someone would dump puppies in a park. But there is no good reason for such a careless act," said Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV CEO and president. "This is exactly why animal shelters exist — to provide safety and care to animals in need.

“It’s hard to say why someone would dump puppies in a park. But there is no good reason for such a careless act.”

Tanya Hilgendorf, Humane Society of Huron Valley

"We don’t ever want to see animals, especially babies, abandoned in the cold, left to fend for themselves. Thanks to a compassionate community member willing to take action, these innocent puppies will get the help they deserve," Hilgendorf added. "When they’re ready, they’ll be adopted into loving homes — but first spayed or neutered to help ensure this doesn’t happen again."

Anyone who has information about the puppies or who abandoned them — or witnessed them being dropped off — is asked to call HSHV’s cruelty and rescue line at 734-661-3512 or submit a report at hshv.org/cruelty.

Welch said donations to the puppies' care can be made by calling 734-661-3571 or visiting hshv.org.